Tag: peace of Jerusalem
The peace of Jerusalem
Scripture reading for May 13th: 2nd Samuel 3-5, 1st Chronicles 12, Psalm 122, Acts 22
Acts 22: 17-21 “”When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.’ And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in You. And when the blood of Stephen Your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ And He said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'”
Paul had been a devout Pharisee and orthodox Jew. He had persecuted Christians and had them imprisoned and put to death. He was zealous for the temple and Jerusalem as the place of God’s House and presence in the midst of His people. But when Christ appeared to him on the Damascus road, Paul was confronted with his own blindness and need to repent. After his sight was restored, he returned to Jerusalem and was warned by Jesus to leave there. The Jews would not receive his testimony. God would be with Him as he now was sent to the Gentiles. He could still pray for the peace of Jerusalem as Scripture commanded. Jesus Christ, King David’s offspring, would be with him on this new mission to tell the Good News to the world! The promised New Jerusalem would be the ultimate ‘City of Peace’!
Psalm 122:6-7 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within you towers!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending the Prince of Peace to Jerusalem! He, too, was rejected there and not received by His own people. He sent His disciples into the whole world with the Good News and promised that He would be with them forever! Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and power to declare the message of peace to Jew and Gentile. Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords and King of Kings!
2nd Samuel 5:9-10 “And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward. And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of Hosts, was with him.”
Jesus reveals His plans by His Presence!
Scripture reading for May 13th: 2nd Samuel 3-5, 1st Chronicles 12, Psalm 122, Acts 22
Key Scriptures: Acts 22:6-10 “”As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are You Lord?’ and He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, Whom you are persecuting.’ Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the One Who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.'”
Paul was intent on finding Christ’s followers and locking them up. But Jesus met him and changed his plans. The risen and exalted Jesus confronted Paul in a great flash of light that knocked him to the ground. As he asked who Jesus was, Jesus revealed Himself to Paul and gave him instructions for the next steps needed on a new journey with new objectives. He would now work with Jesus, Son of David, Son of God and other Christ followers to share the Gospel he once berated and extend the peace of Jerusalem.
Psalm 122:6 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you!”
Faith confession and prayer: I am thankful that Jesus confronted me with who He is: Lord and Savior! I have committed myself to preach His Gospel of repentance and faith to all He directs me to. Lord fill me with Your love and the Holy Spirit.
2nd Samuel 5:10 “And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of Hosts, was with Him.”
Praying for peace!
Scripture reading for August 24th: Psalm 122-125, Ephesians 2
Key Scriptures: Ephesians 2:17-20 “And He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles, and prophets. Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, . . .”
Paul explained that Jesus Christ came to bring peace to Jew and Gentile by making the gift of the Holy Spirit available to all. The Holy Spirit gives us access to the Father. He marks us as belonging to God’s family and reveals and forms Christ in us. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of this new “House” called the “Church of Jesus Christ.” Because of the peace of the brothers, all know we belong to Jesus.
Psalm 122:6-9 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within your towers! For my brothers and companion’s sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for bringing peace to all through the sacrifice of Your body and blood. I pray that today You will reveal Your peace through me and all who belong to Your house! Amen.
Sunday rest and reflection!
Sunday October 5th, 2014
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, our Messiah!
Israel is the nation that brought forth the Messiah. God made a covenant with Abraham and has promised to bless those who bless Israel, and to curse those who curse Israel. (Genesis 12:3) He has told us in His Word to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and seek its prosperity. (Psalm 122:6-9) Jesus will return to Jerusalem and set up His millennial reign in Jerusalem!
Each year churches around the world join together on the first Sunday of October to pray for Israel. Join us Today as we join others in prayer! Let’s give ourselves to worship like never before! Jesus is coming soon!
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary
Jerusalem–city of God
Scripture reading for June 28th: Psalms 120-127
Today’s reading is a set of psalms that were known as the “songs of ascent”. These were songs sung by pilgrims as they traveled on their three required yearly visits to the temple for the celebrations of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The pilgrims came up the road from Jericho to Jerusalem and experienced an elevation change from 1200 feet below sea level in Jericho area to over 2600 feet above sea level in Jerusalem. The climb was difficult for several reasons. It was a dry area with little water and the terrain was rough. It was also an area known to be inhabited by robbers and marauders who would prey on the pilgrims.
The first psalm in this series begins with the pilgrim in distress. He is living among those who hate peace. They are deceitful people and have lying tongues. He is far from God’s house and God’s people and realizes his need to call on the Lord as he begins his journey to the city of God. This journey may be what you need today, take time to call on the Lord and decide to move towards Him!
Psalm 121 is a favorite psalm of many. I memorized it as a child in Sunday School. As the psalmist begins the journey upward to Jerusalem, his eyes see the hills and he realizes that this journey is impossible in his own strength! The climb is difficult and there are many dangers. He confesses that his help comes from the Lord, who is Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2) No matter what obstacle, hazard or mountain of difficulty, God is with us!
The central goal of the journey is Jerusalem, the city of God! It’s a city closely compacted, a tight-knit community centered around the temple and worship of the Lord! The tribes go up to praise the Lord according to His statutes! (Psalm 122:4) Jerusalem is the city of ‘peace’ and all are encouraged to pray for the peace of the city. In a world where war, hatred, lying and deceitful tongues form the social context of where we live, peace is the norm in God’s city. Take time today to pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
Scripture reading for June 28th: Psalms 120-127
Today’s reading begins a set of 15 psalms that were known as the “Songs of Ascent”. These were songs sung by pilgrims as they traveled on their three required yearly visits to the temple for the celebrations of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The pilgrims usually came up the road from Jericho to Jerusalem; an elevation change from 1200 feet below sea level in Jericho to over 2400 feet above sea level in Jerusalem. Additionally, it was a dry area with little water and rough terrain. It was also an area known to be inhabited by robbers and marauders who would prey on the pilgrims.
The first psalm in this series began with the pilgrim in a place of distress. He was living among those who hated peace. Around him were deceitful people with lying tongues. He was far from God’s house and realized his need to call on the Lord for help on the journey. If this is where you are today, take time to call on the Lord and decide to move towards Him!
When I was a child in Sunday School, I memorized Psalm 121. As the psalmist began the journey to Jerusalem from Jericho, his eyes saw the hills and he realized that this journey was impossible in his own strength! He confessed that his help came from the Lord, who was Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2) The Lord would keep him safe and watch over him day and night. In fact, God will keep him from all harm, not only now but forever! No matter what obstacle or mountain of difficulty you face, remember that God is with you!
The central goal of the journey was Jerusalem, the city of God! Psalm 122 was a song that reminded the traveler of the joy that awaited him there in God’s presence. It was a city closely compacted, a tight-knit community centered around the temple and worship of the Lord! Jerusalem was a city of peace and all pilgrims were encouraged to pray for the peace of the city. In a world where war, hatred, lying and deceitful tongues form the social context of where we live every day, prayer for the peace of Jerusalem prepares our hearts to meet with God. Take time today to pray for the peace of Jerusalem to fill your life on your faith journey!